The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Around the horn
A look at Connecticut’s Major League connections on what would have been baseball’s Opening Day
It was an unseasonably warm late March day on Thursday, perfect for what should have been Opening Day.
But there were no vendors hawking $15 cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon, no Louisville Sluggers slathered in pine tar, no pitchers fiddling with dusty rosin bags, no Astros batters listening intently for a whack of the trash can.
Instead, baseball fans glumly discussed how long the COVID-19 delay might last, debated a shortened season and possible December playoff games at warmweather neutral sites. Because what would be more exciting than a YankeesDodgers World Series at Marlins Park?
As Simon and Garfunkel famously sang, where have you gone, Noah Syndergaard? Or something to that affect.
To help you get through another six weeks of nobaseball blues, we took some time to peruse the rosters to see where Connecticut’s MLB connections would have been on this non-opening day.
Matt Barnes (Bethel/ UConn), Red Sox, relief pitcher: Barnes, 29, has become a bullpen workhorse for the Sox, appearing in at least 62 games each of the past four seasons. Last year he rolled up a career-best 110 strikeouts in just 64 innings, and recently told media he was prepared to make 80 appearances this season.
Sean Newcomb (U. of Hartford), Braves, relief pitcher: Newcomb, 26, was banished to the bullpen last summer after two seasons in Atlanta’s starting rotation. He was making a strong push to capture an open slot in the rotation — a 2.00 ERA in three spring starts — when the season was put on hold.
Aaron Civale (East Windsor), Indians, starting pitcher: Civale, 24, made his MLB debut last summer and was brilliant over 10 starts, going 3-4 with a 2.34 ERA. Not overpowering, Civale’s success hinges on pinpoint control and an ungodly curveball. Folks in Cleveland are understandably excited because he’s got All-Star potential.
Jesse Hahn (Groton), Royals, relief pitcher:
Hahn, 30, has been plagued by arm trouble since his college days at Virginia Tech. He’s amounted to little more than a journeyman reliever, now pitching for his fourth big league club since 2012.
Curt Casali (New Canaan), Reds, catcher: Casali, 31, was a backup for the Rays before joining Cincinnati in 2018. A year after appearing in a careerhigh 84 games, he’s expected to platoon catching duties with Tucker Barnhart.
George Springer (New Britain), Astros, OF: Springer, 30, remains a bona fide superstar despite being caught in the middle of the Astros’ sign-stealing controversy. There are clips online of Springer homering on an 0-2 slider seconds after a clear bang of the trash can. Springer, MVP of the 2017 World Series, expressed remorse over the incident during spring training. He should once again be one of the American League’s premier outfielders.
Charlie Morton (Redding), Rays, starting pitcher: Morton, 36, found his pitching groove at age 33 — 10 years into his MLB career. He won a World Series with Houston three years ago and since joining Tampa Bay in 2018, has gone 31-9 with a 3.08 ERA. Last summer he struck out a career-best 240 batters and played in his second successive All-Star Game.
Nick Ahmed (UConn), Diamondbacks, SS: Ahmed, 30, has established himself as one of the game’s best defensive shortstops, a wizard capable of making the spectacular play look routine. He’s no slouch with the bat either. Last year he posted career-highs of 19 home runs, 82 RBIs and 79 runs scored.
Scott Oberg (UConn), Rockies, relief pitcher: Oberg, 30, was one of the less-heralded stars of UConn’s dominant teams of the early 2010s, behind Springer, Barnes, Ahmed and Branford’s Mike Olt. But he’s become a valuable commodity in the Colorado bullpen, a top-notch setup man capable of closing if needed. He turned in his best season yet in 2019, going 6-1 with a 2.25 ERA and five saves.
A.J. Pollock (Hebron), Dodgers, OF: Pollock, 32, was slowed by an elbow injury that cost him half of the 2019 season, his first with Los Angeles after a stellar career with Arizona that included the 2015 AllStar Game, when he batted .315 with 20 homers and 39 stolen bases. Though he hasn’t approached those numbers since, Pollock is locked in at center field on a Dodger team expected to once again compete for the World Series title.
AROUND THE HORN
Several Connecticut connections are now in MLB dugouts as coaches, many of them former New Haven Ravens. Craig Counsell is about to begin his sixth season managing the Brewers. Anthony Sanders — one of the few players to homer over the center field wall at Yale Field, is first base coach for the Orioles. Dave Bush was named pitching coach of the Red Sox. Brian Sweeney, who recorded the final out of the Ravens’ 2000 Eastern League championship, is the Indians’ bullpen coach. Dusty Wathan is the Phillies’ first base coach.
Former UConn star Pete Fatse is the Red Sox assistant hitting coach. Jerry Narron, who earns respect for spending a season at Quigley Stadium as catcher for the West Haven Yankees, is the Red Sox bench coach. Marcus Thames spent several seasons with the Norwich Navigators and is the Yankees hitting coach. Pete Walker (UConn) is the Blue Jays pitching coach.
Craig Driver, just three years ago an assistant to John Stuper at Yale, is now the Cubs’ first base coach. Colchester’s Ron Wotus is third base coach with the Giants. Former Norwich Navigator manager Trey Hillman is third base coach for the Marlins.
Other players of note: Anthony Kay (UConn) made his MLB debut for the Blue Jays last season and should return at some point in 2020. … Rajai Davis (Norwich), a longtime MLB veteran outfielder, signed with the Mexican League. … Matt Carasiti (Berlin) was competing for a spot in the Giant bullpen, but underwent Tommy John surgery and will miss the season. … Matt Harvey (Groton), once an A-list superstar in New York, has seen his star fall over the past few seasons. He’s out of the game after failing to win over Toronto brass during a pre-spring tryout.
cmalafronte@nhregister.com